You are so lucky and I'm so jealous.!! What did you talk to her about.? Were you with her for long.?? God, I need details.!! lol
Details details, of course :)
Fran was attending a charity type event at the Uni of Maryland. The event was basically various humanitarian students pitching an idea for a charity event or drive they wanted to do. Fran, as well as two other professors, acted as judges. The person with the best idea would then be granted the funding for their charity. I am very local to UMD (10 minutes away literally) and have many friends who attended. Someone told me about the event and I jumped on the opportunity. I called and emailed the department responsible for the gathering and triple checked to make sure that non-students were allowed there etc.
I arrived 4.5 hours before the start. I do not play games. I was there so early that people were still vacuuming and arranging chairs. I was able to locate where Fran would be sitting and chose a seat not 7 feet from that. It was as close as I could be because the first few rows were for presenters. The event volunteers started showing up and I was politely asked to leave. Therefore I stood/paced within ten inches of the front door for about 3.5 hours. I began directing people coming who were presenting "yes you're in the right place, please use the left door" (amusing). Eventually the ticket givers showed up and we established I was FIRST IN LINE OK.
Blah blah this part is so boring IDK why I am telling you this. My friend who was attending with me showed up and I think she was embarrassed by my dead serious attitude about being first and closest. I didn't give a fuck though ok. I had my camera, I had my clipboard with Fran photo + marker ready to go (including folded paper padding between clip and photo to prevent indentation - serious fucking shit). They opened the doors and I RAN to my previously selected seat. People looked at me. Swine probably. More blah blah we waited for ages for anything to happen. I found a few other people excited to see Fran but they couldn't even hold a candle to me. People would say they liked the Nanny too and I would then get too excited and start being too specific "In season 3 episode 19 when she di---" before I realized these people were not in my league. And that is ok. But it made for a few quizzical moments. I retain the fact that I was by far the most dedicated and knowledgeable fan there. Ego happening rn.
Then they finally began introducing people. Fran came out wearing a teal dress, same one she wore for doing some talk show stuff with Cinderella. Anyway she made a speech about being well and a Cancer Schmancer little pitch. (that charity work was of course the main reason I am sure she was asked to be a part of this event). She then went around and sat down and I began silently taking pictures of her the entire time #YOLO. (I look back with regret, the camera was knew and I am no photographer. I just wish I had known how to adjust for better lighting). I think I looked at the actual stage never.
Anyway there was a brief lull in the event. It was time for the judges to go BTS and pick winners. I noticed a girl approaching Fran with a letter that was written by a child I saw "Dear Fran" at the top and knew the TIME WAS UPON ME. I turned to my friend and tried to hand her my camera, "lets go" MY "FRIEND" fell through completely the poor dear. Looking down and away. I think she just didn't want to go up to her, and was worried about. Oh well I didn't have time for that + I had a prepared bit of dialogue should Fran say no to an autograph or photo.
I stood up quickly and turned, there was a tall well dressed man standing at the end of the aisle. I politely asked him to take a photo of me and Fran. One other person was in front of me and then it was my turn. I was nervous because unlike the other times I have met celebrities I was essentially "accosting" her and just hoping she was in a good mood and that she knew it was with good intent and I humbly humbly admire her. She is so pretty in person.
I handed her the photo and the marker and quickly explained how much I admire her and that my mom is a survivor as well. How I loved her books and loved "the show" and that I had Lauren and Renee's autographs as well and I need hers. She smiled and was so sweet, placing a hand on my arm asking me "ok what is your name?" (I had been talking a bit fast). I told her my name and she has gorgeous hand writing "for Karen, Be Well, Fran Drescher" and the B looks like a heart. And then I asked about the photo (I want to say I must have handed her the clip board after saying those things to her yes. Hmmm trying to remember). And she said "Haha, you just want it all." I smirked, "of course." It was in this moment that the pen she had signed with rolled off the table and I bent down instinctively to catch it while Fran had been leaning in. So my face in the photo is me popping up again like a dolt who had tried to pick up a pen....anywaaaay. By pure dumb bullshit luck the photo came out great minus the shadow of the man taking it.
After she had to leave to go do judging stuff I sat down with my heart all a flutter and this is when I noticed the identity of the man who had taken my photo: he was Fran's assistant. I am still laughing about it. STILL. What a nice guy to do that for me. He was holding her purse and phones and keeping her schedule in check and #WHOOPS. Fast forward to the very end of the event when I was able to go up to him and thank him again and apologize for basically throwing my camera at him. He said no problem and was so glad he could help. For someone wearing alligator shoes, he sure was a gem.
Nothing super interesting happened after this. I had had my moment. It was exquisite. I think when the judges came back out they didn't go back to their original seats but stayed on stage. I could be wrong. I hung around and people kind of mobbed Fran some on stage at the end. Trying to get her to sign or take pictures. No one else got much from her and she was very apologetic when she had to leave. This is when people started coming up to me being very catty and jealous, "It is so UNFAIR that you got her to sign something." "Well, did you bring something for her to sign?" "No." Oy people. Ask the ladies who have done Gillian cons with me I. DO. NOT. PLAY. GAMES. So yes. I sauntered away to where we were parked. My friend was very regretful that she did not go up to Fran when I did so I had to can my excitement out of respect. And then I got home and boom Fran tweeted me oh man.
So basically this entire thing was a very lucky occurrence but I think I was at least a little deserving of it happening. FIN.
I am going to publish this so I can have it forever if that is ok ^^